Mistakes Pool Owners Make when Converting to a Saltwater Pool System

A saltwater pool is an incredible luxury that any homeowner is lucky to have access to. Instead of dealing with the scent of chlorine, dry hair and skin, and irritated eyes, swimmers are left in silky smooth water that is clean and comfortable to swim in. In recent years, converting to a saltwater pool system has become easier and more affordable than ever, and more Canadians make the choice to move to saltwater each year.

Changing to a saltwater pool is a convenient and recommended choice, but the chemistry in a saltwater pool is a bit different than the chemistry in a standard chlorine pool. Before you decide to make the change to a saltwater chlorinator, it is very important that you keep this difference in chemistry in mind.

Saltwater can be very destructive to certain pool appliances and fixtures, and many pool owners make the mistake of converting to saltwater before doing their homework. Before installing a saltwater pool system, do an inventory of your pool equipment and appliances to be sure your system is ready for saltwater.

Saltwater pool systems and your pool heater

If you have a pool heater installed with your pool, it is essential that you determine that your heater is compatible with saltwater before making the change to a saltwater pool. Saline water is corrosive to most pool appliances, and can quickly destroy a swimming pool heater, particularly older models.

If you’re considering making the change to saltwater, you’ll need to take a look at how your swimming pool heater was designed and built. Older heater headers can corrode very fast (sometimes within a season) if exposed to saltwater, but many newer heaters have been designed to withstand high-salinity. Cupro-nickel or copper headers are the best heaters to have in a saltwater pool.

If you discover that your heater is not suited for use in a saltwater pool, you’ll have some choices to make. You may want to consider updating to a new heater, removing heat from your pool, or postponing your conversion to saltwater until the time comes to buy a new pool heater.

Ensuring fixtures are saltwater-safe

Because salty water is so corrosive to metals, it can pose a problem to the small fixtures and hardware around your pool that you don’t often consider. When small fixtures and screws are exposed to saltwater, they can corrode rapidly. This can leave you with rust stains on your liner and fixtures that can be difficult to remove.

When fixtures and hardware are damaged, you also run the risk of experiencing damage to your liner or pool fixtures after water-tight seals are loosened.

If you’re planning to make the change to saltwater, make sure you evaluate all of the hardware associated with your pool, inside and out. Replacing these small parts with salt-resistant hardware will save you time, money and frustration long-term.

Ladders, diving boards, and other pool equipment

There are many additional parts of your pool that you might not consider when making the change to saltwater, but it is important that you keep these parts in mind before making your choice. Ladders, diving boards and other pool additions all have specific and essential hardware that can corrode rapidly when exposed to saltwater.

Before making the change to saltwater, be sure to review all of the additional components of your pool, and change your hardware to titanium fittings that can withstand salt. This will prevent you from having to deal with tough rust stains, and hardware that is stuck in place.

Neglecting chemical maintenance in a saltwater pool

Many people are lured in by the promise of a saltwater pool because they think that there will be no maintenance involved, but that is not the case. Saltwater chlorinators provided added convenience because they allow you to self-produce chlorine rather than purchasing and adding your own, but a saltwater pool is certainly not maintenance-free.

After you make the transition to a saltwater pool, you’ll still need to keep an eye on salt levels, chlorine levels, pH and alkalinity balance in your pool. Many pool owners have made the mistake of thinking that the installation of a saltwater chlorinator means they can neglect their pool for the summer. Neglecting to maintain your pool in all of the usual ways will result in costly damage and a lot of frustration.

Doing your homework before making the change to saltwater

Anyone who has a saltwater pool at home is usually quick to praise their new sanitation system. But, it is important that you do your homework before installing a saltwater chlorinator in your swimming pool, especially in existing and older pools. The change to saltwater can be cost-effective, comfortable and enjoyable for your whole family. But, there can be barriers to a smooth installation that you should consider before making your decision.

Making the change to saltwater is a decision that pool owners rarely regret if they have done their research and have prepared well for the transition.

Convert Your Pool to Salt Water

The growing trend in salt-water pools means that more pool owners are looking to convert their pools to salt water pools instead of chlorine dependent ones. This, of course, holds numerous benefits which all boil down to the fact that chlorine is not a pleasant chemical and you like most people simply want to avoid itchy skin, red eyes and pool smell.

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Pool Fencing: Safety Standards and Benefits

We all know that installing a fence around your pool is the last thing you want to do, but often it’s necessary. As the city of Toronto’s bylaws state that you are required to have a fence on your property if you have a private swimming pool, it’s important that you consider your options. Bylaws state that your pool enclosure should have a barrier, separating partially or wholly the boundary between adjoining land and your property. Now, this, of course, means that if you already have a fence of the proper size, you are technically on the right. However, with smaller children, pets or areas where pests and animals are a problem, a pool enclosure can give you the peace of mind that your children and pets are safe, and that you will not find drowned pests in your pool. This means that a pool enclosure is an effective way of guaranteeing safety and preventing additional maintenance.

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Things to watch out for when shopping for a pool heater

How you’re going to heat that new pool you’ve just installed is a question you should answer before you finish your pool installation. If you’re installing a new heater with your pool, consider that there may be significant installation costs coming with a new gas line. That’s why you should always consider your alternatives when purchasing a heater, as you might stand to lose far less money with different options. If you’re replacing your old heater, there may always be significant gain in efficiency and value for your money, which is why you need to consider every option before you select. With the help of Toronto Pool Supplies, you can find the perfect heater for your pool easily. Simply use our step-by-step heater finder tool, to help you pick the right heater for the job. We also offer free quotes for installation and replacement.

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